Resource-Loaded Schedule

Cobra uses the value in the Resource Assignment Level field from the schedule as the value for the base or first result when linking with a resource-loaded schedule.

If a curve is not used on the assignment, the level is multiplied by the duration. If you plan to later update the Open Plan project with information from Cobra, use spread curves rather than offsets and periods as this information does not transfer back.

When you load budget from Open Plan, you can load from a baseline or the schedule. Cobra reads the time-phased spread information from the usage file. If you are loading from a baseline and you want the spread in Cobra to match, you must use a reporting calendar and perform resource scheduling before the baseline is created. Cobra does not support loading from early or late dates in Open Plan.

If you want to load from early or late dates, you must create a baseline in Open Plan based on these dates and then load from that baseline into Cobra. If you select the Update early and late dates option on the Status page of the Integration wizard when integrating with Open Plan, Cobra informs you that it is not supported.

Depending on the detail at which you resource load your schedule, you might want to take advantage of one of the following options:

• If you resource load at the name level, you should set a baseline at the pool level. If necessary, you can schedule the individual resources in six-month blocks of time. This prevents you from having to explain a variance caused by the replacement of one resource with another.
• Roll up resource information by defining the resource assignment calculations for a higher-level resource. Do not use the roll-up feature if you intend to update Open Plan resources from Cobra.
• In Open Plan, select the Roll up for Scheduling option on the General tab of the Resource Details dialog box.